16 month old not walking and just likes crawling

[AlienLady]

She can cruise, do small steps if encouraged (eg between me and her dad sat on the floor and making her take 1-2 steps towards us) but she just prefers crawling.
My elder DS loved the push along walker and as soon as he realised he can take a few steps, he wanted to walk. She isn’t bothered by the push along walker.

Is there anything I can do?

Not really. She'll walk independently when she's ready.

My second was exactly the same. His older sister crawled at 6 months, and walked at 14 months. He crawled at 10 months. Can't remember when he started cruising. He did use the push along walker, when his older sister didn't. But despite seemingly being ready and utterly desperate to walk, he didn't walk independently until 17.5 months.

The health visitors had told me to contact them if he hadn't walked before 18 months, but in reality they wouldn't be all that concerned until he turned 2.

Neither of mine walked until 20months as they were both ninja crawlers. Not at all bothered about walking.

Im in the same position with my DS. He’s 16 months, can crawl and climb anywhere! He is walking holding our fingers but after a few step just sits down 😕 I keep telling myself he will get there in his own time.

My son was 22 months before he walked. Don't worry.

Did you contact the health visitor?

Sounds like my DD so solidarity

Both of my babies were the same. Bright, happy, clever kids, that was just their normal!

When did they start walking?

My second is the same. My first walked at 11 months and my second is 18 months now and just doesn't seem to fancy walking - though she can do it! She much prefers to crawl and walk on her knees, or be carried - sigh. I'm not worried as I've seen her walk independently and she can walk holding my hand, but I'm not sure I can make her practise if she doesn't want to!

At about 16 months they both took their first steps, but crawling was faster and easier as their main mode of transport for sure!!

I also know twin baby boys that are 17 months currently, one is walking with months and the other is only just getting started now! Both healthy and happy

My DD was so good at crawling I think she saw walking as less efficient so didn't bother. She did walk at 17 month.

My DS didn’t walk until he was 17 months old, then he just ran everywhere 🫣

i Think I’ve read somewhere that crawling is good for developing connections across the brain. So it’s good for them to crawl! It won’t last that’s for sure

It’s fine. Let her crawl. Mine walked at 15 and 17 months. My one who walked at 17 months started crawling at 5.5 months, so he literally crawled for a whole year before taking his first steps. It’s fine. There’s a link between time spent crawling before walking and brain development. The time on the ground spent experiencing the world very up close in a tactile way builds neural connections in the brain. Mine is 8 now and very good at maths and chess. 🤷🏻‍♀️